Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Litomisky.
Robert, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I make ClapperBoards. You know, those things you put in front of a motion picture camera each time it turns on?
Hollywood has a 100 year long tradition of using these in one form or another, their purpose being it allows filmmakers to synchronize all recording devices on their production while also allowing for a visual record of production information, like Roll, Scene, Take #’s etc.. Now, you may have thought that a clapperboard is just a clapperboard, but I hope to change your mind once you have read my story.
First a little background. In the mid 1980’s, my father Petr was starting to work as a Director of Photography. That meant that he was responsible for creating (filming) the image on set. Once the film was processed by a lab it was subjected to a process called Telecine. That involved sitting with a man appropriately named a ‘Colorist’ who would control the look as the filmed image was transferred to videotape. This tape served as a representation of the cinematographer’s vision and was an integral part of the project workflow. This process still happens today with Digital RAW files, so while some technical details in the workflow have changed slightly, the basic process remains the same.
Now, not many years before my father had come from Eastern Europe as a political refugee. One could say that his command of the English language was far from complete… Very far. It lacked nuance. If he wanted to tell the colorist the RED in the image should be more CRIMSON and less FUSCHIA, he had no way of doing so. So, having some experience as a craftsman, he made a clapper which had fade resistant colors laminated onto it, and after filming took this clapper with him on his coloring sessions. He was now able to have the colorist adjust the image by comparing the filmed clapper at the head of each take to the one he carried with him. Baby steps.
My father had by that time developed a friendship with a famous old sound man by the name of Michael Denecke, AKA ‘Father Time’. Michael eventually (in 1999) received a Technical Achievement Oscar ©TM for the development of the Time Code Slate. My father and Michael decided to collaborate since the clappers of the time had no colors and looked ‘like bb gun targets’ and could use a major upgrade to his TS-2 line of Digital ClapperBoards.
My father called me as a young lad into his shop and said: “Son, this is your lucky day.” Lucky indeed.
My father and I started producing fade and wear resistant laminate Clappers on a base of beautiful and durable Walnut. These clappers were a resounding success, the industry accurate colors were stable in hot, cold and damp environments. I am proud to say that my company continues to provide clapper tops to Denecke, Inc. and are the most imitated color clapper design in the world.
At this point, my story proceeded along two parallel paths. My adventurous half traipsed about the world working on professional film crews (camera department and eventually producing commercials, music videos and features) while my practical (and equally creative) half concentrated on developing this beautiful product my father had introduced me to. Thanks to my adventurous half in 2001 I met my wife Ksenia who till this day inspires me to be a better man. Thanks to my grounded half, my company Hollywood Clapperboards DBA R.P. Slates was born and continues operating today.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
By my estimation, I serve about 16% of the overall market in ClapperBoard sales in the United States (nationally, 2015), based on the statistical analysis of expendables sales in relation to active productions. This is for the professional market and this number is growing as my company partners with more independent Board manufacturers. The market segment which I have not really penetrated to a significant degree is the tourist and amateur market.
In 2015, I tried to address this market by opening a Brick & Mortar store where customers could come and personalize one of my professional ClapperBoards with their pictures, composited by a photoshop expert to be in front of a licensed image of the Hollywood Sign. This was a great concept, but I found cheaply made imitations of my ClapperBoards being imported from overseas (China) and sold for 1/5th the price (or less) of my personalized ClapperBoards. Obviously, I was at a competitive disadvantage as people didn’t wish to pay a premium since durability, originality and top craftsmanship are not the deciding factors in a touristic excursion. My overhead was just too high to compete with cheap imports, and so I have come to rethink my sales strategy. This failure has made me tighten my belt and get competitive.
Most of these clapperboards are sold online (i.e. Amazon) with the remainder being sold in tourist-oriented brick and mortar stores on Hollywood Boulevard and Theme Parks across the U.S. I still sell the beautiful personalized ClapperBoards from my Brick & Mortar, but only online as this way, I eliminate my overhead. To compete with the imports I just developed a line of Clapperboards to compete at this price point with superior colors, leverage my proximity to my market, the skill of my team and of course they’re made right here in DTLA. Coming Soon, Stay Tuned!
Hollywood Clapperboards – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In 1996, I formed a Sole Proprietorship, R.P. Slates, in honor of the union of the work I (Robert) do with my father (Petr). Around this time I developed a wide range of Clapper tops. This includes several Walnut models, varying in size and design from miniature 6″ Color Clappers to giant 42″ Black and White beasts. To complement my Clapper tops, I started developing both laser engraved and UV printed Boards to match, along with more economical products to round out my product line. I started marketing these clapperboards to the suppliers of motion picture (expendable) equipment and soon developed a following. This period was very important as it served, and still serves as my biggest tie to Working Hollywood.
Hollywood, however, is a dynamic place where trends come and go. One thing is for sure in our present, network connected business landscape: markets change. I knew that I would need a public face of my own so as not to be tied to the fortunes of a few brick and mortar stores. In 2012 I assumed the DBA of Hollywood Clapperboards as part of my expansion goals and in 2015 I opened my online portal where my customers can create their own completely custom piece of Hollywood, www.hollywoodclapperboards.com.
Future plans definitely include a strong Amazon presence to counter the trend of cheap imports and greater tie-ins to Hollywood’s intellectual property through licensing (to expand my product line)…
To this date, Hollywood Clapperboards continues to employ the superior manufacturing techniques and materials that established the standard. At present, Hollywood Clapperboards manufactures its products in Downtown Los Angeles in a 3000 sq.ft. manufacturing facility and utilizes a wide range of custom tooling to accomplish these ends. I have a very strong team working with me at present: two master craftsmen, one graphics designer and printer, one experienced salesman/legal advisor, an engineer, an engraver and an established web design team. I am very proud of them all.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
After the first half minute into this ‘Making Of’ for ’The Force Awakens’ upon seeing my Clappers so prominently displayed, I felt the pride of truly participating on a project which defines our culture, values and aspirations for moviegoers, present and future.
Really, every time I see my work on any media: TV, Net or Silver Screen on any project, I remain thankful that I have played a part of somebody’s vision and expression of values, and hopefully made their day just a little bit better.
Pricing:
- Fully Customized UV Printed Classic Hollywood Clapperboards starting at $55.00 https://hollywoodclapperboards.com/custom-11-uv-printed-acrylic-clapperboard
- True Color Economy ClapperBoard, Customizable starting at $10.00 https://hollywoodclapperboards.com/economy-eleven-clapperboard
- Classic Engraved Walnut Clapperboard, starting at $104.75 https://hollywoodclapperboards.com/engraved-eleven-inch-clapperboard
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hollywoodclapperboards.com
- Phone: +1-213-400-4688
- Email: rlitomisky@hollywoodclapperboards.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodclapperboard/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hwclapperboards
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hollywood-clapperboards-los-angeles
Image Credit:
Robert Litomisky
Gary Anderton
Vasily Balashov
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
